A Quick Update

We are all doing well, getting back into the routine of school and homework.

Deaglan is learning to read small 3 letter words. He'll be really reading by Christmas.

Joey is doing well in school, he's easily distracted by a good book though. Padric is well, just getting bigger and growing up right before our eyes. It's sad to see him getting so big but exciting at the same time. He's getting so independent and opinionated.

Lots of Firsts!

School is back in session! Deaglan started at Landmark Christian Academy (LCA) on Monday, August 17th and Joseph started at Southeast Elementary on Thursday, August 27th.

Why 2 different schools? I thought you might ask that. I needed Deg to be in all day Kindergarten because I didn't know what my schedule was going to look like for the fall, so I enrolled him in LCA. As luck would have it, nothing lucky about it, God took a heavy burden off my shoulders. I was very concerned about who Deg's teacher was going to be. Anyone who knows him knows he's very, shall we say, spirited and needs a firm but gentle hand to guide him. I was afraid that his charm and "cuteness" as he calls it was going to sucker some poor teacher in to coddling him. But, God hears our prayers and Mrs. Lindemulder, the very same teacher that had Joey 3 years ago, accepted the Kindergarten position at LCA and I can rest easy.


Joey loves being able to walk to school. He has a locker, and new friends, and text books and... and... and... (can you sense the excitement?) In fact, he was so excited about going back to school today (Friday) he was up and ready to go by 7:15 this morning. School starts at 8:30.


Deaglan is excited about learning how to read. He's having a little trouble remembering that he needs to sit in his seat, raise his hand and not to talk to his friends during class, but he's still learning. He looks so handsome in his uniform. Yes I know he's not wearing any shoes, I took this the day I bought his uniforms. Come to think about it, I should have guessed he'd be shoeless soon. After lunch he and the other 2 kindergartners that stay for the full day go with the 1st and 2nd graders for afternoon studies, and electives (gym and music). Well being new to the whole process, after gym on Friday Deg forgot to change his shoes and they got "lost" at school. He had "no idea" where they were. (picture Deg rolling his whole head in lieu of rolling his eyes when he said no idea). The 8th graders that come and help his teacher re-shoe the kids after gym class found 3 pairs of dress shoes after the kids left. 2 girls pairs and 1 boys pair. (There are 2 kindergarten girls and Deg. Hmmmm whose shoes do you think they were?) We "found" them Tuesday when we explained what happened and spoke to the 8th graders and the crisis was averted.




Soccer season is still in full swing here in the Sullivan house. AYSO season is over and they both played great! Joey is really looking good on the field in both offense and defense. Deg is showing real promise. They are both playing for the Evergreen Park Rec Center for the next 8 weeks. They practice 1 or 2 nights a week for an hour or so and play games on Saturday mornings at Yukich Field on Kedzie right around 87th st. Feel free to come on out and take a peek. Joe's team is Navy blue (he's number 3) and Deg's team is light blue (he's number 35).


The boys (all of them, Chris, Joe, Deg, Ricky, and Ed) took me and Ricky to our first Cubs game on Thursday. They lost but, it was still amazing. I LOVED it! The crack of the ball against the bat, the smack as it lands in the fielder's glove, the vendors, the smell of hot dogs, I could go on and on. To actually see the Ivy in the outfield. I was in heaven. I can't wait to go back. Deaglan took a bite of his hot dog and said "yep, still tastes awesome." Ricky loved them too.

Welcome Back!

I heard a commercial for Meijers today and they had revamped the theme song to "Welcome Back, Kotter", and it made me realize that Deaglan starts Kindergarten on Monday. Monday! He's a big bad Kindergartener now. Joe starts on the 27th (well he's not going till the 28th because we're going to the Cubs game the 27th). They're growing up so fast! I'll post first day pics as they happen.

Sadly, in other news, I'm not teaching this year. With the closing of the Academy (the private school that was associated with the childcare and church) our enrollment is way down, so my hours are minimal at best. I'm sad that I won't be teaching but other doors have opened for my in the past few weeks.

In March, I took a CPR/first-aid class for work and I was in a round-about way offered a job as an instructor. I took the online portion of the class last weekend and I have the last half and test on September 12th. After I teach my first class and have it observed I'll be a certified instructor. I've also been offered a job running a rentable photobooth (like the ones you used to find at the mall only portable) for a friend of mine who owns a DJ service.

Chris is still doing well with Verizon. Don't forget if you need a phone or already have Verizon and are due to renew or upgrade HE MAKES HOUSE CALLS (with in reason of course, sorry to get my out of state readers excited LOL)

All in all we're doing well and things are looking good.

OK, it's official. I'm a bad mom. I'm at Joey's soccer game, the last game of the season and the first game I've been to all season, but I'm here. (finally)

Look out! I'm mobile! Now I can post the boys antics as soon as they happen!

Summer is HERE!

It's official! Summer is here! Soccer season has begun and this year Bear gets to play! The boys are playing with the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) again this summer. It's Joey's 3rd season with AYSO and Deaglan's first. I couldn't help but take pictures of them in their uniforms. (Caution: Sunglasses are recommended for viewing. Their uniforms are bright.) They play at the Dan Ryan Wood, Deg plays Monday and Wednesday and Joe plays Tuesday and Thursday. So basically, I'm living there for the next 7 weeks. He's very good, opening day the Officials were kicking the ball with him, we think he's going to be moved up a level.

Joe and I went to Great America yesterday. WOW! It's been forever since I've been there. Joe was a trooper though. He went on the Eagle, the Viper, the Whizzer and the Dark Knight. He liked the Whizzer because it went in circles more than it dropped, the Eagle and the Viper.... not so much. He really like the rides that spun the mess out of him!


He rode the Triple Play twice (back to back)


and the Ricochet at the beginning of the day and then again at the end of the day.

The boys saw Night at the Museum a few weeks ago and Deaglan likes to do the "Bolt, Bolt, Firepower" line from the movie. He's adjusting very well to being a "Big kid", going to the pool, and on field trips with the school aged kids at summer camp. He's just getting too big, but he'll always be my Little Bear.



Ricky is now a big boy! That's right, we've started potty training! He is so proud of himself wearing underpants!

Ricky also learned that he likes the playground. He likes to play with Deaglan and his friends, despite how much it hurts! He was chasing Deaglan and his friend Andrew up the jungle gym and smacked his face against one of the bars giving himself a pretty good shiner. But he also learned that he loves the swings!



Summer is going to be GREAT! I hope you all enjoy yours!

Wow!

Deaglan's birthday was a blast. My little Bear is growing up. *sigh* As I promised here are some pictures.

Deaglan at school. His teacher took a few pictures for me.

This is what the cake looked like before Deaglan decided it needed red dots and zig-zags, and when he and I finished decorating it.

Blowing out the candle.

Well, after Bear's birthday comes Preschool Graduation! He's a big bad Kindergartner now. Look out world here he comes! Doesn't he look too handsome? She has the patience of a Saint to put up with him. He absolutely adores his teacher Mrs. Melba. Katarina, Luke and Deaglan. We think she has a crush on Deaglan, can you blame her?

Ok, enough about Bear. Preschool Graduation is also our Childcare Center's Spring Program. All the kids work really hard on it. (Well, the teachers do.) I cleaned up really nice, and Padric's class all stayed on stage this year.

The school year is over and Summer is here, YAY!?!?! (I still have to look forward to summer camp.) Wish me luck!